TV ecumenical church service 29/11/11
By Bill Lucas
The issue of a Free Church minister taking part in what has been described as an 'ecumenical service' along with an Roman Catholic priest, was raised at a meeting of the Western Isles Presbytery of the Free Church in Stornoway yesterday.
The matter had been given publicity following a letter to the Press by the Stornoway Baptist minister, Pastor Keith Baker, who referred to the 'ecumenical service to be held at Martin's Memorial Church in Stornoway on December 3 and televised by BBC Alba on Christmas eve.'
Mr Baker had stated: 'Surely Chalmers and Knox are turning in their graves. Are there any Ministers of island churches that will not raise their voices and say that they are shocked that this is happening?'
Referring to the letter, the Rev Kenneth Ferguson of Cross Free Church asked if any member of the Presbytery was to be involved in this service because some years ago the Presbytery had given a ruling on the issue.
The Rev James Maciver of Knock Free Church, who is this year's Moderator of the General Assembly, said that he had agreed to take part in the service which was to be broadcast on Christmas eve.
He had suggested to BBC Alba that it should not be advertised as an ecumenical service. There would be a number of items by local groups and choirs. He had been asked to give a four minute talk, the priest was to read a prayer, and the Church of Scotland minister would be reading from Scripture.
Mr Maciver said: 'I do not regard this as compromising by theological position or that of the church. It is an opportunity to present the real meaning of Christmas although only in a small time scale of four or five minutes.
“I can bring the message to thousands of Roman Catholics and others. I am not being asked to conduct a service, they are all just separate items which are being recorded.
He highlighted: “If I had been asked to conduct a service I would have refused. It is a very legitimate concern to be raised at Presbytery. I think it is a rather shameful way for the Baptist pastor to deal with a fellow Christian.'
Mr Ferguson then asked if Mr Maciver had had any input into the final editing of the programme, and Mr Maciver replied that the script which he had sent in had been fully accepted.
Mr Ferguson said: 'If Mr Maciver is happy with his involvement then I am happy to support him.'
Meanwhile, as from next April the Presbytery meetings will be held in the evening
at 7pm. This will be for a trial period of one year.